How to become a morning exerciser?!?

How do you become a morning exerciser??

Honestly, you suck it up when the alarm goes off and just get out of bed. It's not easy. Many times in the past I have wanted to wake up early and exercise only to hit the snooze and go back to sleep. If you aren't a morning person, then you really have to want it to become one. What I mean is you really have to want to achieve your goals. Obviously if you are trying to become a morning exerciser it is probably because you don't have time in the rest of your day to exercise regularly. I switched my exercises to the morning to ensure I would get them in. Those first few weeks of getting up at 5am were rough. But as time went by, I really started to enjoy my mornings. Now with my new workout schedule, I am up at 3am three times a week and heading to the gym. I look forward to my workouts and I never complain about getting up early to do them.

Some tips to help make the transition:
*Get out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off.
*Turn on the light in the bedroom or living room so your body stops producing sleeptime hormones.
*Have a cold glass of water or anything else that will wake you up.
*Find an exercise you enjoy doing. If you actually want to do the activity, then waking up early won't seem like such a chore.
*Go to bed early enough so you aren't overly tired when its time to wake up.

I agree. I had to change to be a morning exerciser and I mean an EARLY morning exerciser because of my job. I had to leave for work by quarter to 6 b/c I had to drive into the city. Some people got gym memberships through work and worked out after work or at lunch however lunchtime didn't work for me because I'm a girl and I'm sorry I didn't have 2 hour lunches and after work didn't work b/c I couldn't count on getting done with work before 7 or 8pm during certain cycles.

Anyway, I started by making time for 30 minute workouts every morning; leaving enough time to get a shower and dressed, but packing my breakfast, snacks, and lunch the night before. Oh, you HAVE to get to bed early enough (I found I had to at least get 7 1/2 hours of sleep to survive) and Yes, when the alarm goes off, just get up. I even started sleeping in my workout clothes to make sure I'd get up. Too dark outside to run? Not a problem, we lived in the burbs with plenty of street lamps and paths, I wore a headlamp (which you can purchase at a sports store), and my husband came with me on his bike also equipped with lights). Actually, I have found my fastest runs were in the morning when it was cool and crisp.

Take it easy to start and pump it up as you get used to getting up. Oh it never hurts to have a pet that will get used to your schedule and will refuse to let you slip. My cat would never let me sleep in...not even on weekends. Loved him to death and really miss him since he passed away last year. My new kitten doesn't demand I get up immediately when my alarm goes off...I really have to force myself up on my own, but well...I've been doing it for years now, so I'm used to it at this point.

Good Luck! You do what you gotta do!!

So my question is....are you a morning exerciser? Are you naturally that way or did you have to become one because of your schedule? How do you do it? It is just sooo easy to hit the snooze button and say you will do it after work and then after work it is just sooo hard to get moving! I need help because I desperately want to be a morning exerciser at least 3-4 times a week so I can make sure I get my runs in! I know I just have to get up and do it but any help or motivation will be appreciated.

Wish me luck...my alarm will be set for 1 hour earlier then usual tomorrow.

Yes, I'm a morning exerciser.

No, I'm not naturally that way. In the afternoon/evening, I'm too prone to make excuses or be legitimately too tired/busy for it.

I do it by laying out my clothes & bag the night before, then set my alarm early, get up, and go. I've tried to make it just "what I do" and not a choice to be made every morning.

Bump for motivation!

in on this crew! Awesome tips/etc - Going to actually try this tomorrow rather than dealing with the gym crowds after work :grumble:

I'd like to do this too! I think it would be more likely that I'd get it done. There are only so many hours in the day. I wish I needed less sleep.

Morning person. Set alarm at 5:30 AM. I put on a cap, I don't shave, or even brush my teeth, I don't eat breakfast, nor drink water. I get out of the house, my personal best is 3 mins. My two dogs follow me. They are awake. I walk a hilly 5 miles, used to take me 108 minutes, now I do it in 92 mins, only weather that has stopped me as an excuse? Lightening in the area. When I come back, hungry, I feed the dogs, I drink water, take a shower, then I have 300 calories max for Sunrise meal. My Meals are labeled "Sunrise", "Noon", "Sunset", and "9:00 PM if you are Under 1,200 calories."

I set my alarm an hour earlier on workout days. I workout at home (P90X) so get everything ready the night before. I'll bring whatever equipment I need into the living the night before. I'm not naturally a morning but after a few weeks it does get easier. I feel better getting done early. I'm always too tired later on in the day.

I have just recently developed a successful habit of morning exercise. I had tried it oodles of times before, but it didn't last long.

I think this time I am just more committed to making this work. I know there is no other time that I can consistently get it done (I have toddlers and a full time job), so the AM is it. Like some of the others here, I have everything ready the night before, and get to bed in good time. Then when the alarm goes off I just get up, get myself dressed etc., grab a quick bite and hit the road for the gym.

It feels SO good to get it done early. I think I'm getting a little addicted to that feeling. :-)

Having read this thread I have decided to take the plunge and set the alarm early tomorrow. I've been thinking about it for a while and with the weather not being too bad here it's the perfect opportunity! Thanks for the push guys!

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